“I am afraid that you are making a mistake. You told me just now that you wished to speak a few words to me in private, concerning Thames Darrell, and for that purpose I have left my father below with Mr. Her hair was washed for her also. Just then—I was nervous. “It’s still a marvel to me that we are to be forgiven,” she said, turning. If only this man had been her father! The world would have meant nothing; the island would have been wide enough. And there was another matter. At the back of the house, on a bank, rose an old-fashioned terrace-garden, full of apple-trees and other fruittrees in blossom, and lively with the delicious verdure of early spring. During this movement, Jack grasped the barrel of his pistol, held in his breath, and motioned to Blueskin, who bared a long knife, to keep still.